Coupler supporting and centering device



July 10, 194'5. l M P. BLOMBERG ET AL 2,380,018

`COUPLEIR SUPPORTING AND CETERING DEVICE July 1o, 19475.

M. F5. BLoMBl-:RG E-r A1. l 2,380,018 4 COUPLER SUPPORTING AND CENTERING DEVICE e sheets-sheet 2v Filed April 17, 1.944

July 10, v1945. M. P. BLOMBERG ET A1. 2,380,018

COUPLER SUPPORTING AND CNTERNG DEVCE 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 17, 1944 Suvento' NNN July l0, 1945. M. P. BLOMBERG E-r Ax. 2,380,018

COUPLER SUPPORTING AND CENTERVING DEVICE Fi1ed"Apri1 17, 1944 e sheets-sheet 4 July 10, 1945. Y M. P. BLoMBr-:RG ET AL 2,380,018

COUPLER SUPPORTING AND CENTERING DEVICE Filed April 17, 1944 6 Shee'ys-Sheet 5 mventors Af ff (/i/z 7/2 W I (Ittjornegs July 10,- 1945. M. P. BLOMBERG ET AL 2,380,018.

COUPLER SUPPORTING AND CENTERING DEVICE Filed April 17, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 :inventors Patented July 10, 1945 FFICE COUBLER SUPPORTING ANDy onN'rERING t 11 nnvroli:

.Martin I.- Blomberg, Hinsdale, end John M ASinidLlCicergflll.assigntpnsto General` Motors Delaware `a. 'corporation of l Application Amun, ieisfseriainasmszs 18 Claims. (Cian-+61) This invention relates to couplers `forrailway cars, and more particularly `to a device for resliently supporting and centering suchicouplers. The regulations of the Interstate Commerce Commission require that couplers be removedfor inspection atperiodic intervals,` and sincethe usual forms of supporting and centeringdevicesinterfere with the removal of the coupler or link,pro vided the `tail end is largerthan the shank of the coupler, they must be taken olf `or at least partially disassembled i before the `coupler can A be taken out.` This `takes several hours time and therefore in addition to increasing the ycost (3f-the inspection operation,V it results'in the car'being kept out of service longer vthan is desir-able.`

It is therefore an object of this invention `to provide a couplersupporting and centering device which is so constructed `that byfmerely removing two keys which normally -holdthe device in operative position wherein swinging movement ofthe coupler to either side is yieldingly resisted, the `upper portion of the devicemay-be swung downwardly to aposition wherein it will permit removal or rep-lacement of the coupler. Thusit takes only a few `minutes -time to perform Athis operation as compared with the several hours re- `quired with the vconventional coupler supporting and centering devices.

Another object is to provide such a device which is so designed'ithat the entire assembly may/be :304

easily and quickly removed -fromthecar it becomes necessary to perform any service operations thereon.

Other objects and advantages ofthe invention will be apparent upon reference to the Vfollowing .35

description and` accompanying drawings,

which: i l

Fig. `1 is a vertical sectional view, `taken approximately on the longitudinalcenter line ofthe showing the coupler and draft gear mechanism `and our improved means `for supporting `and centering the coupler;

Fig. -2 is a planview of thenstructureshown` in Fig. 1, with portions broken away to show :45

and V5,butshowing a `stilltdiiferent form of ...the

invention.`

`The reference numeral `lllxlldicates theunder` frame ofa railway car or locomotive,` tothe underi side of which is secured a coupler housing 12AM` is a coupleryoke which is supportedin theihous-f `ing by the following structure. An inner wedge member `L6 has angularlyincli'ned surfaces .i84

and `a curved surface` 20 formed on it, the VVcurved surfacdbearing againsta matching curvedsilrf face 22v formed `at the inner end of the yoke. As shown in Fig. 2, this wedge member` has projections`24 extendingat, each side thereof, and these projections normally bear against shoulders `2.6i formed in the coupler `housing to preventmove.d

ment oflthe innenwedge memberrelative tothe i housing in one direction. 2B.is an `outer wedge member having a curved surfaceoSD on it, which surface bears againsta matching curved surface ittncrmally bear `againstsh'oulders 38 provided p in 4the coupler housing to prevent movement of thawedge member 28` in to the housing. i

Located `between the innerand outer wedge members are assemblies comprised of blocks'Ml of rubber orother resilient material whichare `vulcanized to metal `platesllZ `and M,` the plates 42 bearing againsttheiinclined surfaces IB onnthe innerwedge member and abutting against shoulders A6 formed thereon, `while .ther plates 414" bear against the inclined surfaces 34 on :the `outer wedge .member and abut against shoulders 48 provided thereon.` As shown inFig. 1, theyoke l4.is; supported vby. members which areY secured `to the .coupler housing byboltsZythe yoke beone direction relative ingfree to slidelongitudinally on the members.`

!jIhayre has threespaced arumsrll formedfat its outer end," andtbetween these armslt a pair ofrlarms 56` extending from -the Vshank A58 fof la coupler Ilill, the coupler being pivotally `c(inecteti tolthe yoke by a pin `(il whichhfits'within .64 extending vthrough the arms-154 and Alili, g pini ueing insertable from the vbotto-m"fandbeing heldin position by a key 66 which passesthrough lugs 8* dependingfrom thellovvermost` arm `154 o the yoke. l

' 'The coupler is supported. and noijxvnallx'f.1` iS held in centralposition bythe followingstructure. l0 ,is afallirarieetine dowivardly `from ,the eeuplr housirlaand having aliene@ 11.2 ,etndieg eerie zontallyfrom its lower end. Ahpair of brackets 3 55 K14 secured to the wall I'lll bybolts lleach have a leg 'I8 extending outwardly therefrom, and each of these legs has a semi-circular recess formed in it. 80 is a carrier member consisting of a round tube which extends between the brackets, the ends of the tube fitting in the recesses in the legs 18 and being welded thereto around the edgesoi the `reeessesfon both sides of the legs, asf indicated in Fig. 3. Mounted upon the carrier member is a saddle 82 which is made up of a round sleeve 84v having spring seats 86 welded to each end thereof, each of said spring seatsv having 'anupstanding wall 88 and connecting side walls 89 formed y.

thereon.

Located above the saddle is a support member 90 having a central horizontallylextendingportion 92, to which is secured a wearplateild on which the coupler shank58 is adapted to'rest, vertically extending portions 96 which lie close to the walls 88 on the saddle, and horizontally extending end portions 98 which serve as seats for the upper ends sition with respect to the saddle. Other side walls I |04 extending across the central portion.92 .have

astrap `|06 secured to them by bolts 08, the strap extending downwardly around the bottom of the sleeve 84fand normally bearing against the latter to limit the upwarcl movement of the support member. caused by the expanding .action of ,the springs |00. i f .Wear plates I |0 are welded to the support member to withstand the rubbing `action caused by the movement ofthe coupler shank during operation, and as the latter swings transversely when rounding ,.curves, it engages one of these wearplates, forcing,. the vertically extending portion 96` .to which it is secured against the adjacent upstand.- ing wall 88 of the` saddle, therebytendingto cause thesaddle to slide in that direction on the carrier member. Such movement is howevenxyieldingly resisted by the following structure.

As shown in FigsrS and 4, adjacent to each end of the saddle is a key I I2 which extends through elongatedslots I4 formed 'in bothsides of the sleeve 84 andelongated slots IIB formed in both sides oithetube 8 0. The keys are held in posiremoved.-

tion inthe slots by head membersl I8 secured in oneend of,` the keys andcotter pins |20 extending through the opposite end. Locatedwithin the tube 80 are two spring blocks I22each prol vided with a transversely extending. groove |24 inwhich one ofthe keys is received to properly locate the blockswith respect to the keys. The .ends of Va pair of coil springs |26 and |28 .bear against the Iblocks |22 and since the springs are ofisuch lengths that when assembled vwithin the tube they are placed under substantial initial compression, they serve to hold .the blocks rmly against the keys, thus tending to movethe latter outwardly in the` slots ||4 and I6. As shown in Fig. 4;, whilethe inner ends of these ,slots are in ,line ,with each other, Vthe slot- IIS isslightly longer than the slot I I4, so` thatwhile the keys are held against the outer end of the slot I I4 by `the action of the springs, they will.'y not `be quite in" contact `with the ends ofhthezslots H31 Since before they reach that position, theblocks |22 seat against the inner ends ofA ferrules |30whichzform stops and which are slidablyfsupported inside of 8,0.` Theouter ends of thesenferrules abut vvthese slots, the keys being held against the ends Y of the slots'by the blocks |22.

|34 are circular plates welded inside of the ferrules adjacent the inner ends thereof to reinforce the latter.

When the coupler is swung to one side, as when the vehicle is rounding a curve, the shank 58 engages the'we'arplate I0 on that side of the support member "andmoves the latter in that direc- A tionsothatit bears against the upstanding wall 88 on the saddle, thereby tending to slide the latter'iriv that direction on the carrier member,

but since the key` I;|2 on the opposite side is in V engagement with theouterends'ofthe slots I I4 on thatjside of `thesleeve 84 sliding movement of the latter causes that key; to'f be moved in the same direction in the slots. ||6 and |33. The block |22 which bears .againstthat key is likewise 1noved in that direction, thereby further compressing the springs |26 and |28 so that continued swinging movement of the coupler is yieldingly resisted, and the latter is moved back to central position by the action of the springs when the force which has caused it toswing sidewise is The springs |00 will permit vertical angling of the coupler in a downward direction, s uch'movement being` limited by the stops 93on the support member engaging the ytube 84, which results. in the loadv being transferred to the carrier member, andflrom-the latterthrough the-brackets '|4 yto the flange |35 ofthe wall |32,` which in effect is partY of they framingstructure. Vertical angling ofthe coupler-in an jupward direction is accomplished by simply lifting the shank with the support: emberll stationary, itbeing held by the .strap 06,

'I'husthe coupler is normally held in central position, so thatwhen two adjacent-cars are to be coupled together, the coupler on each car will lineup properly with that on 'the other, 'so that thetwo 4carsmay be, easily and quicklycoupled togefthelrgand so that no damage will occur tothe couplersa's might be the case if they were not in proper alignment with each other. It will be notedthat a relatively slight amount of clearance sfprovided between the coupler vshank 58 and the wear rplates I0. This is to allow the coupler to be swung a little to either side of the, center line to permit alignment with a coupler on an adjacent car when Vthe cars to be coupled are standing ontrack witha slight degree of curvature,V without encountering the resistance to swinging movement which is set up by the centering device.

`It will be seen that only one of the keys ||2 and'on of the spring blocks |22 are moved transversely in thecarrier member at a time. When the keyand block at one side are being moved .bythe sliding action of the saddle, .the key and action is reversed so that the key and blockwhich were stationary in the rstinstance become the moving ones, while` the `,other key and `block remain stationary. Thus it` will be seen that by arranging the `springs so that they may be comtings` |50 are provided through which lubricant maybe forced throughsuitable passages (not some minor variations. The same numerals are taking out the cotter pins and driving the Y keys out of the slots ||4, ||6 and |33, whereupon the saddle 82 and the supporting member 90 may beswung outwardly or inwardly and downwardly as a. unit relative to the carrier member, to the position shown `in dot-and-dash lines in Fig. l, which is approximately 120 degrees removed from its normal position. Such swinging movement is made possible because of the fact that the sleeve 84 which forms the base of the saddle is round and lits over the round tube which forms the carrier member.` When the saddle and supporting member have been swung down to this position, they are out. of the way so that ample space is provided through which the coupler or link may be withdrawn, after the pin 62 has been re,- moved. Suitable openings may be provided in the sleeve `84 and the carrier member into which the keys may` be inserted to positively hold the saddle and supporting member assembly in their lowered position so that they will not rotate on the tube when the coupler is being removed or installed. l

Means are also provided to facilitate the removal of the entire assembly of the support member and saddle mounted upon the carrier member. Suchmeans consists of a pair of holes |35 and formed in each end of the carrier member 0|! and in each ferrule |30. As best shown in Fig. 3,

these holes are normally not in alignment with` each other, the` hole |38 in the ferrule being spaced somewhat further from the center than the hole in the carrier, in order that a pry bar inserted in the two holes and pulled so that it tends to move the hole |38 into alignment with the hole |30 will serve to slide the ferrule inwardly in the tube a slight amount so that the outer end of the ferrule will be out of contact with the end wall |32, whereupon after removal of thebolts 'I6 the entire assembly maybe withdrawn. `Since at this time if the keys ||2 were not in position in the slots, the expanding action of the springs would tend toforce` the ferrules out of place in the carrier member,` a pin |40 is welded in each ferrule, and one end of these pins projects out-` wardly through the ferrule into elongated slots |42 formed in the carrier .memberc The length of the slots |42 is such that normal movement of the ferrules inthe carrier member is not interfered with, but when the entire assembly is re,- moved, outward movement of the ferrules in the carrier member is limited by the pins coming into Contact with the outer ends of theslots |42. Thus the assembly is held togetherfor convenience in handling it when it is being installed or removed.

Asshown inFig. 3, the ferrules |30 are cut away at the bottom as at |44 and holes |46 and |40 are provided inthe carrier member and sleeve respectively in alignment therewith, to

permit any water which maycollect in the in terior of the carrier member` to drainaway; aFitshown) to points :betweenthe sleeve 84 and the carrier member to reduce the friction therebe-` tween.

The` formof the invention shown in Fig. 5 is substantially like that previously described, with therefore used to refer to similar parts. One of the differences is that whereas the previously described device is intended to `support and center a coupler, which has a relatively wide shank resting on and engaging the device, the one shown in Fig. 5 is intended for use where draftlinks are employed to connect two cars together instead of couplers. Draft links are commonly narrower in width than theshanks of couplers, solinlorder to have the centering device function properly l in connection with a draft link such as shown at |50 in Fig.` 5, filler members |60 are welded `.to the inner faces ofthe support member 90, and wear plates |52 are welded to these filler members.

Also provision has been made in the structure shown in Fig. 5 to support the air brake and sig- `nal pipes on the centering device so that they will swing withthe latter when rounding curves l so that noundue strain will be placed upon them. To accomplish this, a bracket |54 is welded to the sleeve 84 `and the side walls 09 on the saddle.

Thisbracket extends upwardly and `outwardly at` an angle', and has secured to it by. UPbolts |66 the air brake pipe |00 andthe signal pipe lll). The

downwardlyfprojecting 'portion |12 ofthe coupler housingon which the centering device is supportedis curved outwardly as at ile to .pro-

vide clearance for the` bracket and pipes `when they swing with the `coupler to the positions indicated bythe dot-and-dash lines. Vit are lugs provided on each side of the housing to engage the coupler shank to limitthe sidewise swinging movementof the latter, so that the portion |72 of the coupler housingfneed only be made strong enough to take the end thrust load `ofthe springs l and |28, it not Vbeing required `to `take i`mpacts or overloads since these `are taken :by the lug` |16; `The operation of the structure shown in Fig. 5 is the same as that previously described. -In the form of the `invention shown in `Fig. 6,

the support member is directly connected to or is formed as an integral` part of the saddle |82, there being no springs between the two. This form of supporting and centering device is suitable for use with the typeofcOupler which has a relatively large amount of slack in the knuckle h and which has no provision for holding two adjacent couplers in line with .each other vertically.

When such couplers areused, itisnot necessary to support them `resiliently, but instead a solid lsupportsuch asis shownin Fig. 6may be used,` The carrierzmember Bil is supported at each end f on portions lll'whichextend downwardly from the coupler housing. The structure shown in Fig.

6 functions in the same manner as those` previously'descri-bed insofar as the features of`centering the coupler and of being rotatable downwardly about the` carriermember when the keys H2 are removed,` to permit removalor replacement of the coupler. l i i While we have shown and described specific embodiments of our invention, Vit will `be understood that variouschangesin the details of com struction andoperation may be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the appended claims.- f I i n l i saddle slidably and rotatably mounted on said carrier member, a support member resiliently carried by said saddle and adapted to support a coupler, and means connecting said saddle to saidrcarrier member to normally prevent rotative movement relative thereto, said means beingremovable to allow said saddle and support .mem-

y ber to be swung downwardly about said carrier member to permit withdrawal of the coupler.

3; In a coupler supporting and centering device, the combination of a carrier member, a saddle slidably and rotatably mounted onsaid carrier member, a support member resiliently carried by said saddle and adapted to support a coupler, means serving to yieldingly resist sliding movement of the saddle relative to said carrier member, and other means adapted to. prevent rotative movement of the saddle relative to said carrier member.

4. In a coupler supporting and centering device, the combination of a carrier member, asaddle slidably and rotatably mounted on said carrier member, a support member resiliently carried by said saddle and adapted to support a coupler, a spring serving to resist sliding movement of the saddle relative to said carrier member, and removable means adapted to prevent rotative movement of the saddle relative to said carrier member.

5. In a coupler supporting and centering device, the combination of a carrier member, a saddle slidably and rotatably mounted on said carrier Q member, a support member resiliently carried by said saddle and adapted to support a coupler, a spring adapted to resist sliding movement of the saddle` relative to said carrier member, and a pair of keys connecting said saddle ty said carrier member and serving to prevent rotative move- `ment of the saddle relative to said carrier member.

6.. In a coupler supporting and centering -device, the combination of a carrier member, a saddle `slidably and' rotatably mounted on said carrier member, a support member resiliently carried by said saddle and adaptedto support a coupler, a spring located within the carrier member, and means connecting said saddle to said carrier member, said means cooperating with said spring whereby the latter will yieldingly resist sliding movement ofthe saddle relative to the carrier member.

7. In a coupler supporting and centering device, the combination of a carrier member, a saddle slidably and rotatably mounted on said carrier member, a support member resiliently carried by said saddle and adapted to support a coupler, a spring located within the carrier member, and removable means connecting said saddle to said carrier member, said means serving to prevent rotation of the saddle relative to the carrier member and being adapted to cooperate with said spring in such manner that the latter will serve to yieldingly resist sliding movement of the saddle relative to the carrier member.

, y8. In a coupler supporting and centering device, the combination of acarrier member, a saddle slidably and rotatably mounted on said carrier member, a support member resiliently carried by said saddle and adapted to support a coupler, a spring located within the carrier member, anda pair of keys connecting said saddle to said carrier member, said keys being so arranged that sliding movement of the saddle relative to the carrier will serve to vcompress said spring whereby such movement willbeyielding1y resisted.

9. In a coupler supporting and centering device, the combination of a carrier member, a sad-- .the latter will serve to yieldingly resist' sliding movement of the saddle relative to said carrier member.4 f

10. Ina coupler supporting and centering device, the combination of a carrier member, a saddle slidably and rotatably mounted on vsaid carrier member, a support member resiliently carried by said saddle and adapted to support a coupler, andra pair of removable keys extending .through said saddle and carrier member and serving to connect the two together, said keys vpermitting sliding movement of the saddle relative to the carrier member but preventing rotative movement relative thereto.

11". In a coupler supporting and centering .device, the combination of a carrier member, a saddle slidably and rotatably mounted on said carrier member, a support member resiliently carried by said saddle and adapted to support a coupler, a spring located within the carrier member, and

` a pair of keys extending through said saddle and vice, the vcombination of a carrier member, a

saddle slidablyand rotatably mounted on said carrier member, a support member resiliently carried by said saddle and adapted tosupporta coupler, said carrier member and said saddle each hav-l ing aligned slots formed in opposite side walls thereof, and a pair of keys extending through said slots', said keysY serving to prevent rotativev movement of the saddle relative to the carrier mem-v ber and sliding in said slots when the saddle slides on the carrier member.

V,13. In a coupler supporting and centering device, th'e combination of a carrier member, a saddle slidablir and rotatably mounted on said carrier member, a support member resiliently carried by said saddle and adapted to support a coupler, a spring located withinsaid carrier member, said carrier member and said saddle each having aligned slots formed in opposite side walls thereof, a pair of keys. extending through saidl slots, said keys serving to prevent rotative movement of the saddle relative to. the carrier member, and being adapted to slide .insai'd slotsand tocause. said;

`the carrier member.

14, In a coupler supporting and centering device, the combination of a carrier member, a saddle slidably and rotatably mounted on said carrier member, a support member resiliently carried by said `saddle and adapted to` support a coupler, a spring located Within the carrier member, a `block bearing against each 'end of 4said spring, and means serving to` connect said saddle to said carrier member, said means serving to prevent rotation of the saddle relative tosaid carriermember and being adapted to engage one of said blocks when the saddle slides on the carrier and `thereby cause said spring to be cornpressed to yieldinglyresist such sliding movement.

`15. In .acouplersupporting and centering device, the combination of aycarrier member, a saddle slidably and rotatably mounted on said carrier member, a support vmember resiliently carried by said saddle and adapted to support a coupler, a spring located Within the carrier member, a block bearing against each end of said spring, a stop located Within the carrier member at each end thereof, said blocks seating against said stops, and means extending through said` carrier inem ber and saddle to prevent rotative movement of the saddle relative to the carrier member, said means being adapted when the saddle slides relative to the carrier` member to move one of said blocks in a directionwhich will cause said spring to be compressed to resist such sliding movement. 16. In a coupler supporting and centering device, the combination of a carrier member, a saddle slidably and rotatably mounted on said carrier member,` a support member resiliently car ried by said saddle and adapted to support a coupn ler, a spring located Within the carrier member, a block bearing against each end of said spring, a stop locatedwithin the carrier member at each end thereof, said blocks seating against said stops, said carrier member and saddle each having aligned slots formed in opposite side Walls thereof adjacent each of said blocks, and akey extending through said 'slots between each of said blocks and the stop it is seated against, whereby when the saddle slides relative to the carrier member, the key at one end will move the adjacent block away from its stopand cause the spring to be compressed to resist such sliding movement.

17. `In a coupler supporting and centering de- Vice, thecombination of acarrier member consistl ing of an annular tube supported at its ends on the coupler housing, a saddle including an annu-` lar sleeve mounted on said tubea support member resiliently carried on said saddle and adapted to support a coupler, a spring located within the carrier member, a block bearing against each end of said spring, a ferrule located within the carrier member at each end thereof, said yblocks seating against said ferrules, a pair of keys extending through said carrier member and saddle to pre-` vent rotative movement of the saddle relative to` the carrier member, said keys being adapted when the saddle slides relative to the carrier member to move one of said blocks in a direction which will cause said `spring to be compressed to resist such sliding movement, and means adapted `to limit outward movement of the ferrules in the carrier member When the latter is removed from its supports on the coupler housing.

18. In a Vcoupler supporting and centering de Vice, vthe combination of acarrier member consisting of an annular tube supported at its ends on the coupler housing, a saddle including an annular sleeve mounted` on said tube, a support i member resiliently carried 0n said `saddle and adapted to support a coupler, a spring located Within the carrier member, a block bearing against each end of said spring, a ferrule located within the carrier` memberat` each end thereof, said blocks seating against said ferrules,` a pair of i keys extending through `said carrier memberand saddle to prevent rotative movement of the saddle relative tothe carrier member, said keys being adapted when the saddle slides relative to the carrier member to` move one of said blocks in said spring so that they` Will be out of eontact with the coupler `housing to permit removal of` `the carrier member from its supports in the coups 1er housing. t

l MARTIN P; BLOMBlERCr.`

JOHN M. SMIDI...` 

